This episode of "Ancient Charm of China" takes you to the world-famous Porcelain Capital in east China's Jiangxi Province. Those who are looking to find out why china is called china could use to spend a day or two in Jingdezhen. 

Jingdezhen lives and breathes porcelain. Its relationship with ceramics dates back to the Han Dynasty (202 BC-220 AD) and local artisans' craftsmanship rose to fame during the Song Dynasty (960-1279). The culture of ceramics has lived on for more than 2,000 years.

Some say that Jingdezhen porcelain is "white like jade, bright as a mirror, thin as paper and sounds like a bell." With its elaborate forms and sophisticated techniques, the art of Jingdezhen porcelain is widely recognized as a gem of the Chinese civilization.

Read more: Jingdezhen: capital of china, not China

Today, Jingdezhen is a popular destination attracting tourists from home and abroad for a taste of its cultural charms and to get their hands dirty with pottery making.

Ancient Kiln and Folk Customs Museum

The first stop in Jingdezhen should be the Ancient Kiln and Folk Customs Museum in Changjiang District. The beautifully landscaped site offers basic ideas about the profound porcelain history and culture in Jingdezhen.

The site houses ancient kilns from imperial days and traditional porcelain-making equipment. The staff will demonstrate how they were once used in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

In the exhibition area of ceramic folk customs, visitors are able to appreciate musical performances by artists using ceramic instruments.

Transportation: Take a flight to Jingdezhen Luojia Airport and the destination is a 10-minute drive from the airport.

Opening hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Admission fee: 95 yuan (13.74 U.S. dollars) per person.

Yaoli Ancient Town

Yaoli, which literally means "inside the kiln of ceramic making," is an ancient town built in the late West Han Dynasty (202 BC-8 AD). Its abundance in Kaolin, a special type of clay for making porcelain, made it the famed cradle of Jingdezhen ceramics.

Porcelain is the essence of Jingdezhen, but the city has an abundance of natural beauty. The lush forest coverage, splendid waterfalls and idyllic alleyways in Yaoli offer a tranquil getaway for visitors.

Best travel season: May to November

Transportation: Take a direct bus from Jingdezhen Licun Bus Station.

Opening hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Ticket price: 110 yuan (15.9 U.S. dollars). Purchase tickets one day in advance.

(Video edited by Chen Shuxun, cover image by Jia Jieqiong)